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Cardiovascular Research Center

MCW Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE)

Student working in lab

Program Overview

The MCW Cardiovascular Research Center has paid mentored 10-week full-time summer experiences in cardiovascular research in our research laboratories. The Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE) Program is supported by a federal grant from the NHLBI.

This program provides summer experiences in cardiovascular research and STEMM/healthcare career preparation for up to 13 undergraduate students each summer.

Learn more about the ASPIRE program (PDF)

Apply Now for Summer ‘26 – Deadline Feb. 1, 2026

Stephen Daramola
Drucilla Forson and Grace Ogwu
Azeez Ganiyu

About the ASPIRE Program

Important ASPIRE Program Dates

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
Applications Open November 1st for Summer 2026

Program Dates
May 27 – July 31, 2026 (housing move-in date is May 26; housing move-out date is August 1 by noon)

Location

The experience will be held in person at the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee Campus:

8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Application Requirements

  • Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
  • Online Application
  • Two letters of recommendations from current/former instructors or advisors
  • Official transcript
  • Finalists must attend virtual interview
  • Program acceptance is not made on any single metric; applications are reviewed holistically

Program Benefits

  • Compensation of $6,000
  • Free housing provided for those outside of the metro Milwaukee area
  • Free one-time roundtrip airfare to/from Milwaukee airport to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee (and coming from a location in the United States or its territories) to relocate for the summer to attend the program
  • $1,400 stipend for conference-related expenses (travel, lodging, registration) to attend optional scientific conference with faculty mentor

Eligibility

  • At least 18 years old by time of program
  • Actively-enrolled and must have completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited U.S. (or U.S. territories) college or university (rising sophomore, junior, or senior; must not have graduated)
  • United States citizen or permanent resident
  • GPA is considered as a part of a holistic review of each application
  • Strong interest in cardiovascular science or medicine

Visit our program on Instagram

Contact Us

For questions about accommodations related to a disability, please contact pathwayaccommodations@mcw.edu.

Allison DeVan, PhD, MA

Scientific Administrator
adevan@mcw.edu

Erin Theriault, MS

Program Manager
etheriault@mcw.edu

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